Need help please...

When I get stressed/upset/mad or any other feeling like those, the only way I have found to relieve those feelings is by exercising.  Between my stressful school, critical friends, and ignorant and unsupportive parents and family, I get those feelings quite often.

I didn't have a problem with that before (when I wasn't concerned with being very healthy) but I kind of do now.  I know I do not eat enough to exercise as much as I end up doing sometimes. 

Today I did my normal exercise (an hour of cardio intervals), then a combination of things upset me to the point that I didn't know what to do with myself, so I did another 35 minutes of ab/cardio work. 

I also managed to only eat a total of about 1400 cals today (I'm eating some popcorn now so it'll be about 1550 soon) so I know I definitely did not get any closer to being healthy today and getting over my disorder.

I just don't know what else to do to relieve my tension and stress.  I've tried baths, taking a break and listening to music, watching TV, but nothing really helps.  The only thing that takes my mind off of stuff is exercising basically (so far anyways).

Does anyone else have any suggestions/ideas for what I could do? I need to let my body recover a little!

I would say since you cant take your mind off of exercising then take your mind off of obsessing about exercising, Does this make sense?

You could actually start becoming an exercise anorexic which is just as bad if not worse than having an eating disorder alone. If you must exercise do something less intense (stretching in the morning, yoga, meditation, taking a walk, shopping) I find myself wanting to exercise more now that I am trying to recover and up my calories, but this is so harmful to your body. Working out tooo much does negative damage that can sometimes not be cured. I would look for a health professional with more knowledge about this subject for more precise answers.

I do feel though that instead of exercising you should try something else to have a better day to day life. Rent a movie, go out to a coffee shop with a friend, read a book at the park. This way you could still be getting out and moving but not so intensely.

Write in your journal.  Write down everything that happened that made you so frustrated/mad/stressed/upset.  Even if you don't write in the journal here on this site, maybe even just writing with a pen or a pencil will help (it might be better than typing it out....writing really relieves stress).  And if you don't want to keep the information you write down, still write it down, expressing your feelings exactly as they are.  When you're done, tear the paper up or burn it.....after you destroy it, try to imagine your problem melting/burning away....then you're off to start another day....clean and fresh.......Although your problems won't be gone, it'll be a big load taken off of your shoulders and you'll have the energy to face another day....also you won't feel so guilty that you exercised so much and ate so little....one less thing to worry about.....

Hope I didn't ramble on too long & I hope it all made sense........

You may find this response unpopular but I think you should stop and consider the gravity of your first paragraph.

I noticed that you blamed School, Friends, Parents and Family for being "frustrated, mad, stressed and upset. As long as you blame everyone else you will never find peace. The truth of the matter is that you and you alone control those feelings for which you blame others.

There are few things in this world that you control; fortunately one of them is the ability to always decide for yourself how to react to any given situation. That is something that nobody can take from you. You can respond with excellence and dignity or you can get mad, frustrated, upset, etc. It's up to you. I'm not saying that it's easy, it's not, but it is up to you.

Before blaming anyone for anything stop and honestly critique yourself and your actions beforehand. I have found that there is almost always something I could have done differently to change an unfavorable outcome regardless of how others behaved.

Be thankful that you have School, Friends and Parents; life is much worse without them. Find the good, you have been blessed. All that I'm telling you is in that book you enjoy reading. Yes, I read your profile.

Bottom line, if you can change your perspective, you will find peace. Once you find peace, you will rely less on your outlet, whatever that may be or become.

All the best...

I agree with Bert with this one...the true disorder starts from within and then attacks us physically. You have to change your mental beliefs and overall perceptions before your feelings or behaviors can change.

In the interim, while you're attempting to find your road to peace and tranquility (please let me know when you've found it as I would also like to travel down that road eventually), you could try taking breaks in your exercise for a snack that is sufficient to support your exercise.

Want to exercise for 30 minutes, that's fine, but stop every 10 or 15 and have part of a granola bar or an avocado or even something that's not so healthy for you since you do have the calories to spare.  I don't know if this will actually help you, but it sounds like anything is worth a try. 

Bert,

That was an awesome post.  You are sooooo right about everything you said.  I try to practice what you advised every day in my life and have noticed a big change, and that I am much happier.

Diana   :-)

Thanks Diana,

I was a little hesitant about being so forward.  Now, if I could only follow my own advice more often...

With respect to tranquility, I haven't a clue.  Perhaps moving to a little hut on a blue-water beach somewhere in the tropics would help.  You know, a perpetual Corona commercial.

: -D

Bert

Bert,

I think you were forward but very tactful at the same time.  Sometimes that's what we all need; for someone to get straight to the point and not beat around the bush.  LOL.

Ahhh, that was a perfect description of tranquility.  I could see myself there now!  ;-)

Diana